Cardiac valve cutting device

ABSTRACT

An interventional device for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, such as a mitral valve. The interventional device includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting mechanism is positionable at the distal end, such as by routing the cutting mechanism through the catheter to position it at the distal end. The cutting mechanism includes one or more cutting elements configured for cutting valve tissue when engaged against the tissue. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and includes one or more controls for actuating the cutting mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/404,558, filed Oct. 5, 2016 and titled “Cardiac Valve Cutting Device,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The mitral valve controls blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle of the heart, preventing blood from flowing backwards from the left ventricle into the left atrium so that it is instead forced through the aortic valve for delivery of oxygenated blood throughout the body. A properly functioning mitral valve opens and closes to enable blood flow in one direction. However, in some circumstances the mitral valve is unable to close properly, allowing blood to regurgitate back into the atrium. Such regurgitation can result in shortness of breath, fatigue, heart arrhythmias, and even heart failure.

Mitral valve regurgitation has several causes. Functional mitral valve regurgitation (FMR) is characterized by structurally normal mitral valve leaflets that are nevertheless unable to properly coapt with one another to close properly due to other structural deformations of surrounding heart structures. Other causes of mitral valve regurgitation are related to defects of the mitral valve leaflets, mitral valve annulus, or other mitral valve tissues. In some circumstances, mitral valve regurgitation is a result of infective endocarditis, blunt chest trauma, rheumatic fever, Marfan syndrome, carcinoid syndrome, or congenital defects to the structure of the heart. Other cardiac valves, in particular the tricuspid valve, can similarly fail to properly close, resulting in undesirable regurgitation.

Heart valve regurgitation is often treated by replacing the faulty valve with a replacement valve implant or by repairing the valve through an interventional procedure. In many instances, a procedure for implanting a replacement heart valve is performed on a patient that has undergone a previous repair procedure for treating the targeted valve, and the targeted valve to be replaced is already associated with an interventional implant. For example, a clip device may have been deployed at the targeted heart valve to fix or approximate leaflets of the valve to reduce regurgitation at the valve. In some circumstances, however, further degradation of the treated heart valve or other clinical circumstances can necessitate that the valve be replaced. In such cases, the previously deployed interventional implant must first be unfixed and/or extracted to prepare the site for deployment and positioning of the replacement valve. As a result, challenges can arise related to the handling of the prior implant(s) and preparation of the targeted site.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to interventional devices for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, such as a mitral valve. One or more embodiments described herein enable detachment and/or removal of an implanted repair device from the cardiac valve in order to prepare the valve site to subsequently receive a replacement cardiac valve or other implant, or to receive other treatment.

In some embodiments, an interventional device includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is positionable at the targeted cardiac valve. A cutting mechanism is positionable at the distal end of the catheter. The cutting mechanism includes one or more cutting elements configured to cut valve tissue when engaged against the valve tissue. In some embodiments, the interventional device also includes a handle coupled to the proximal end of the catheter. The handle includes one or more cutting controls operatively coupled to the cutting mechanism to provide selective actuation of the cutting mechanism.

In some embodiments, the catheter is configured as a steerable catheter having a steerable distal end. The catheter includes one or more control lines extending from one or more steering controls of the handle to the distal end such that adjusting the tension of the one or more control lines causes deflection of the steerable distal end.

In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism is translatable within the catheter such that it is routable through the catheter to be passed beyond the distal end of the catheter and/or to be retracted proximally into the catheter. In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism includes blades arranged in a scissor-like fashion. In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism includes a cutting element configured as a needle structure and/or includes a cutting element configured as a blade structure. In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism is operatively coupled to the one or more cutting controls via one or more cutting control lines and/or an actuator rod.

In some embodiments, the handle includes or is connected to an electrical source for powering oscillating motion of the one or more cutting elements. In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism is configured to pass radio frequency electrical current and/or thermal energy to the targeted valve to cut the targeted valve.

In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism includes a noose structure positionable around valve tissue, the noose structure being configured to be selectively tightened around valve tissue to cut the valve tissue. In certain embodiments, the noose structure is formed from a hooked wire and a snare, the snare being configured to engage with the hooked wire to complete the noose structure, wherein one or both of the hooked wire and the snare are translatable relative to the distal end of the catheter. In other embodiments, the cutting system includes a first wire and a second wire, each extending distally past the distal end of the catheter, and first and second magnets (e.g., permanent magnets or electromagnets) respectively attached to the distal ends of the first and second wires. The magnets may be coupled to one another such that the first and second wires form the noose. In some embodiments including a noose structure, the targeted leaflet tissue may be cut by mechanically tightening the noose. Alternately, the targeted leaflet may be cut by contacting the noose to the tissue and applying radio frequency electrical and/or thermal energy.

In some embodiments, the cutting system includes one or more stabilizing prongs extendable distally past the distal end of the catheter, the one or more stabilizing prongs being configured to engage against tissue at the targeted valve to stabilize the distal end of the catheter relative to the targeted valve. In some embodiments, the cutting system includes a stabilizing cup which is extendable distally past the distal end of the catheter and is configured to engage with targeted leaflet tissue. The cup may also be configured to hold an interventional device implanted into the leaflet tissue such that the interventional device may be captured and removed from the patient after the surrounding and/or adjacent leaflet tissue has been cut.

Certain embodiments are directed to methods of cutting cardiac valve tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, such as a mitral valve. In some embodiments, a method includes positioning a delivery catheter within a body so that a distal end of the delivery catheter is positioned near the targeted cardiac valve, routing a cutting mechanism through the delivery catheter so that the cutting mechanism at least partially extends distally beyond the distal end of the catheter to enable the cutting mechanism to engage with leaflet tissue of the targeted cardiac valve, and actuating the cutting mechanism to cut at least one leaflet of the approximated adjacent leaflets.

In some implementations, the targeted cardiac valve is associated with an interventional implant (such as an interventional clip) that approximates adjacent leaflets of the targeted cardiac valve. Performance of the method therefore results in the cutting mechanism detaching the interventional implant from the at least one cut leaflet. Some methods include cutting all leaflets to which the interventional implant is attached. For example, both the anterior and the posterior leaflet of a mitral valve may be cut. The excised implant may then be removed from the patient (e.g., using a stabilizing cup).

In some embodiments, the targeted cardiac valve is a mitral valve, and the at least one cut leaflet is the anterior leaflet. In some implementations, the interventional device remains attached to the posterior leaflet. The targeted cardiac valve could also be the tricuspid, aortic, or pulmonic valve, for example.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing brief summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the embodiments disclosed herein or as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary delivery system that may be utilized for guiding and/or delivering a cutting mechanism to a targeted cardiac valve;

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate a cross-sectional side view of a targeted mitral valve having an attached interventional clip device, showing cutting of one of the valve leaflets to effect detachment of the previously approximated leaflets;

FIGS. 3A through 3F illustrate an embodiment of a cutting system including a cutting mechanism configured as a scissor like structure, showing various configurations of actuation mechanisms for controlling the cutting mechanism;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a cutting system including a cutting mechanism configured as an electrically powered blade or needle structure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a superior view of deployment of a blade mechanism to cut a targeted valve leaflet to disengage a clip device from the remainder of the leaflet;

FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate a superior view of deployment of a needle mechanism to cut a targeted valve leaflet to disengage a clip device from the remainder of the leaflet;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a cutting system including a cutting mechanism configured to cut using RF energy;

FIGS. 7A through 7D illustrate an embodiment of a cutting system including a cutting mechanism configured to form a noose structure for tightening around a targeted valve leaflet to cut the leaflet;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrates operation of the cutting system of FIGS. 7A through 7D, showing formation of the noose structure and cutting of a valve leaflet;

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a cutting system including stabilizing prongs;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate operation of the cutting system of FIG. 9, showing use of the stabilizing prongs in conjunction with a cutting mechanism to cut a valve leaflet; and

FIGS. 11A through 11D illustrate an embodiment of a cutting system including a stabilizing cup configured for stabilizing the cutting system with respect to a targeted cardiac valve and for receiving an excised interventional device;

FIGS. 12A through 12C illustrate an embodiment of a cutting system including an alternative embodiment of a stabilizing cup; and

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate cup closing mechanisms for cup embodiments having self-expanding properties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to interventional devices configured for cutting a cardiac valve, such as to enable removal of an implanted repair device from the cardiac valve and/or to prepare the site of the valve to subsequently receive a replacement cardiac valve or other implant. Certain embodiments are configured to route and/or deliver a cutting mechanism to a targeted cardiac valve through a transcatheter approach, such as a transfemoral, radial, or transjugular approach. Alternatively, other implementations can utilize a transapical approach for reaching the targeted cardiac valve.

Although many of the exemplary embodiments described herein are described in the context of cutting a mitral valve and releasing one or more interventional clip devices, it will be understood that similar principles may be applied to other implementations in which other implanted interventional devices are cut away from a mitral valve and/or in which one or more clips or other interventional devices are removed/cut away from another cardiac valve, such as the tricuspid valve. More generally, the exemplary embodiments described herein may be applied in other implementations involving removal of a previously implanted or deployed device from tissue.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a delivery system 100 that may be utilized for routing a cutting mechanism to the targeted cardiac valve. The delivery system 100 includes a guide catheter 102 operatively coupled to a handle 104. The guide catheter 102 is configured to be steerable so as to enable guiding and orienting of the distal end 106 of the catheter. For example, the illustrated handle 104 includes a control 108 (e.g., dial, switch, slider, button, etc.) that can be actuated to control the curvature of the distal end 106 of the catheter 102, as indicated by arrows 110. As explained in more detail below with respect to other similar embodiments, the handle 104 can include one or more additional controls for actuating and/or adjusting one or more components of a cutting mechanism 112. The cutting mechanism 112 is illustrated generically in FIG. 1, and may represent any of the other cutting mechanism embodiments (along with corresponding controls and other associated components) described herein.

In some embodiments, the control 108 is operatively coupled to one or more control lines 114 (e.g., pull wires) extending from the handle 104 through the catheter 102 to the distal end 106 (e.g., through one or more lumens in the catheter 102). Actuation of the control 108 adjusts the tensioning of a control line 114 so as to pull the guide catheter 102 in the corresponding direction. The illustrated embodiment is shown as having a single control 108 for providing steerability in two opposing directions. Alternative embodiments may include additional controls (and associated control lines) for providing control in one or more additional directions.

The catheter 102 includes a lumen 116 through which the cutting mechanism 112 may be routed. Accordingly, the delivery system 100 may be utilized by positioning the distal end 106 near a targeted cardiac valve, and then routing the cutting mechanism 112 through the catheter 102 and out of the distal end 106 so as to position the cutting mechanism 112 at the targeted valve. Alternatively, a cutting mechanism 112 can be coupled to the distal end 106 so that it is positioned at the targeted valve as the distal end 106 reaches the targeted valve. As described previously, the delivery system 100 may be utilized in a transfemoral, transjugular, radial, or transapical approach, for example. The delivery system 100 may be utilized to guide any of the cutting mechanisms described herein, or equivalents thereof.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a targeted mitral valve having an attached interventional clip device 220, showing cutting of one of the valve leaflets (anterior leaflet 10) to effect detachment of the previously approximated leaflets. FIG. 2A illustrates the mitral valve and clip device 220 prior to leaflet cutting, and FIG. 2B illustrates the mitral valve and clip device 220 after leaflet cutting. One or more of the delivery system and/or cutting mechanism embodiments described herein may be utilized in such a procedure.

As shown, the clip device 220 is coupled to the anterior leaflet 10 and posterior leaflet 12. In many instances, an implant such as the clip device 220 will be embedded with the leaflet tissue and/or other surrounding tissues as a result of tissue ingrowth, making it difficult to extract the implant. As shown in FIG. 2B, one of the leaflets is cut (the anterior leaflet 10, in this example) in order to separate the leaflets. Such separation may be beneficial prior to deployment of a replacement valve, or to satisfy another clinical need to reverse or minimize the effects of the repair device 220. In one preferred implementation, the anterior leaflet 10 is cut so that the clip device 220 remains attached to the posterior leaflet 12. In this position, there is less risk that the clip device will interfere with functioning of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT).

In contrast, cutting the posterior leaflet 12 so that the clip device 220 remains on the anterior leaflet 10, can result in weighing down of the anterior leaflet 10, which in turn can lead to detrimental interference with the LVOT. However, certain applications may allow for leaving the clip device 220 on the anterior leaflet 10 with little or acceptable risk of LVOT interference and/or may involve subsequent removal/extraction of the clip device 220 from the anterior leaflet 10. Accordingly, methods in which a posterior valve is cut are also included within this disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of a cutting system having a cutting mechanism 312 that may be utilized to cut a targeted valve to unfix/detach previously approximated valve leaflets. In this embodiment, the cutting mechanism 312 is configured as a scissor-like mechanism having opposing blade cutting elements 315 for cutting tissue. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting mechanism 312 extends through or is attached to a distal end of a catheter 302. The cutting mechanism 312 is operatively connected to a handle 304, and the handle 304 is configured to enable selective actuation of the cutting mechanism 312. For example, the handle 304 may include one or more controls 308, and at least one of such controls 308 may be operatively coupled to the cutting mechanism 312. The control 308 may be, for example, a button, switch, dial, slider, or other suitable actuation mechanism providing a user with selective control over the cutting mechanism 312.

As shown by arrow 313, the cutting system shown in FIG. 3A is also configured to allow rotational adjustment of the cutting mechanism 312 about a longitudinal axis that extends through the catheter 302. Rotational adjustment may be accomplished, for example, by rotating the handle 304, with the rotational torque from turning the handle 304 being transferred distally to the cutting mechanism 312. Additionally, or alternatively, the cutting mechanism 312 may be rotated relative to the handle 304 through actuation of a control 308 of the handle 304. The ability to rotate the cutting mechanism 312 beneficially allows an operator to properly orient the cutting mechanism 312 relative to a targeted cardiac valve or other targeted anatomy so that a desired cut may be made.

As shown in the expanded views of FIGS. 3B through 3E, the cutting mechanism 312 may be joined to one or more control lines 314 (e.g., passing through a lumen of the catheter 302) that control actuation of the cutting mechanism 312 through adjustments to the tension of the one or more control lines 314.

In one configuration, shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the opposing blades 315 are operatively coupled to the control line 314 such that adjusting tension (shown by arrows 310) of the control line 314 allows the blades 315 to move between the closed position shown in FIG. 3B and the open position shown in FIG. 3C. In this configuration, the application of tension to control line 314 moves the blades 315 to the open position and the release of tension moves the blades 315 to the closed position. The blades 315 may, for example, be biased toward the closed position shown in FIG. 3B. The blades 315 may be operated by applying tension to the control line 314 to move the blades 315 toward the open position shown in FIG. 3C, then releasing tension in the control line 314 to cause the blades 315 to close and provide a cutting motion.

FIGS. 3D and 3E show another configuration in which the blades 315 close through the application of tension to the control line 314 and open upon release of tension (shown by arrows 311). The blades 315 may, for example, be biased toward the open position shown in FIG. 3E. The blades 315 may be operated by releasing tension to the control line 314 to move the blades 315 toward the open position shown in FIG. 3E, then reapplying tension in the control line 314 to cause the blades 315 to close and provide a cutting motion.

FIG. 3F illustrates another embodiment in which the cutting mechanism includes a control rod 317 operatively coupled to the cutting blades 315. Translation of the control rod 317 (shown by arrows 313) provides control over opening and closing of the blades 315. In some embodiments, distal translation of the control rod 317 causes the blades 315 to open while proximal translation of the control rod 317 causes the blades 315 to close. In other embodiments, distal translation of the control rod 317 causes the blades 315 to close while proximal translation of the control rod 317 causes the blades 315 to open. One or more push rods such as control rod 317 may be used in addition to or as an alternative to the one or more control lines 314 for controlling the cutting blades 315. The control elements and configurations shown in FIGS. 3A through 3E, including the control line(s) 314, the control rod(s) 317, and their mechanical and operational relationship with the cutting mechanism, may be utilized in any of the other embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a cutting system having a cutting mechanism 412 operatively coupled to a handle 404. In this embodiment, the cutting mechanism 412 is configured as a blade, needle, or other sharp member capable of cutting through cardiac valve leaflet tissue. The illustrated cutting mechanism 412 is further configured to provide an oscillating or translating motion to enable cutting of tissue against which the cutting mechanism 412 is engaged. As shown, the handle 404 includes a power source 417, such as a battery source or other source of electricity. Power may additionally or alternatively be provided by an external source such as through electrical cable 419 (e.g., AC or DC power). The cutting mechanism 412 is thereby powered to provide an oscillating, rotating, or other cutting motion through power transmission means known in the art. For example, the cutting mechanism 412 can include or can be operatively coupled to one or more motors 421 (e.g., servomotors) or other means of converting the delivered electrical power into the mechanical work of actuating the cutting mechanism 412.

As illustrated, motor 421 can be associated with the handle 404 and connected to linkage(s) 423 extending to the cutting mechanism 412 and thereby mechanically coupling the motor 421 to the cutting mechanism 412. The motor 421 can transfer, through the linkage(s) 423, rotative (as shown by arrow 413) and/or longitudinally oscillating (as shown by arrow 410) motion. This motion powers the cutting mechanism 412 and allows it to cut through targeted cardiac tissue or other targeted tissue.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate cutting of an anterior leaflet 10 to detach a clip device 520 from the anterior leaflet 10 using a cutting mechanism 512 having a blade structure, and FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate a cutting procedure accomplished using a cutting mechanism 512 b having a needle structure.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a cutting system including a cutting mechanism 612 operatively coupled to a handle 604. In this embodiment, the cutting mechanism includes a tip 620 capable of transmitting radio frequency (RF) energy to the targeted valve leaflets in order to provide tissue cutting functionality. The tip 620 may be configured as a blade, needle, or other relatively sharp component; however, the tip structure need not necessarily be inherently sharp enough to cut targeted tissue in applications in which RF electrical current is used to provide the cutting functionality.

The illustrated handle 604 includes an RF energy source 622. The RF energy from the RF energy source 622 may be transmitted distally along the length of the catheter 602 to the tip 620 of the cutting mechanism 612. For example, the RF energy may be transmitted through a conductor 624, which may be formed as a metallic cable or other structure suitable for transmitting RF energy. The handle 604 also includes a control 608 configured to enable control of the cutting mechanism 612 and/or adjustment to the RF energy source 622 and the applied RF energy.

In an alternative embodiment, the tip 620 of the cutting mechanism 612 is configured as a heat-transmitting structure capable of transmitting sufficient thermal energy (not induced using RF electrical current) to the targeted valve tissue to ablate and cut the valve tissue. In such embodiments, the cutting mechanism 612 is thermally coupled to a source of thermal energy at the handle 604, and the thermal energy is transmitted through the length of the catheter 602 (e.g., through conductor 624) and sufficiently concentrated at the tip 620 of the cutting mechanism 612 to provide tissue cutting functionality.

FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate another embodiment of a cutting system that may be utilized in a valve cutting procedure. In this embodiment, the cutting mechanism is configured as a noose structure 719 for wrapping around a targeted valve leaflet to enable cutting of the leaflet upon tightening of the noose structure. As shown, the cutting system includes a handle 704 and a catheter 702 extending distally from the handle 704 to a distal end 706. As shown by the progressive succession from FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C, the noose structure 719 includes a snare 716 (including a distal loop and a wire 715 extending proximally therefrom) and a wire 718 (including a hook at its distal end) that is passable through the snare 716 to form the closed noose structure 719.

The illustrated cutting system may also include a collet 722 through which both the first wire 715 and the second wire 718 pass. The collet 722 may be configured to lock onto the wires 715 and 718 and may be translatable with respect to the catheter 702. In this manner, the diameter of the exposed portion of the noose structure 719 may be adjusted by translating the collet 722 after the collet 722 has been locked to the wires 715 and 718. For example, the diameter of the noose structure 719 may be enlarged by pushing the collet 722 distally to move more of the wires 715 and 718 distally beyond the catheter 702, and may be reduced by retracting the collet 722 proximally to pull more of the wires 715 and 718 within the catheter 702.

Although the illustrated collet 722 is shown as being disposed within the catheter 702, alternative embodiments position the collet 722 further proximally, such as at the handle 704. In some embodiments, the collet 722 and/or wires 715, 718 may be operatively coupled to a control 708 disposed at the handle 704, with the wires 715 and 718 extending proximally to the control 708 at the handle 704. As with other embodiments described herein, the control 708 may be configured as a button

FIG. 7D illustrates an alternative configuration in which the noose structure 719 includes a first magnet 721 and second magnet 723 attached at the distal ends of respective wires 715 and 718. The magnets 721 and 723 may independently be electromagnets (e.g., powered by power source 717) or permanent magnets. The magnets 721 and 723 are configured to attract and magnetically couple to one another to form the noose structure 719.

FIG. 8A and 8B illustrate use of the noose structure 719 shown in FIGS. 7A through 7D to cut a targeted cardiac valve leaflet 10. As shown in FIG. 8A, the noose structure 719 may first be positioned around the targeted leaflet 10. This may be accomplished by positioning the distal end 706 of the catheter 702 near the targeted leaflet 10, and then forming the noose structure 719 around the leaflet 10 by extending the wires 715 and 718 (see FIGS. 7A through 7D) around opposite sides of the leaflet 10. After the noose structure 719 has been formed around the targeted leaflet 10, the leaflet may be cut by mechanically tightening the noose structure 719 such that the noose structure 719 cuts into the tissue. Alternatively, the leaflet 10 may be cut by tightening the noose structure 719 to bring it into contact with the targeted leaflet 10 and then applying radio frequency electrical and/or thermal energy to the noose structure 719 (e.g., using RF and/or thermal energy source 722 as shown in FIGS. 7A through 7D). In FIG. 8B, the leaflet 10 is shown having been cut so as to separate the clip device 720 from the leaflet.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a cutting system that includes a plurality of stability components which may be utilized to engage with or against tissue at or near the targeted valve. The stabilizing prongs 824 and associated components may be included in other cutting system embodiments described herein, including the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3A through 8B.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of prongs 824 extend distally from a distal end 806 of the catheter 802 along with the cutting mechanism 812. Other embodiments may include a different number of prongs (e.g., three, four, or more). Similar to other embodiments described above, the cutting mechanism 812 may be controlled using one or more control elements operatively coupled to the cutting mechanism 812 and to a control 808 of the handle 804. As with the cutting mechanism 812, the prongs 824 may be controllable via one or more controls 809 of the handle 804, such as by adjusting the tension in one or more control lines 814 extending through the catheter 802 to the prongs 824, through the translation of an actuator rod or catheter relative to the prongs 824, and/or through another control mechanism that operatively connects the handle 804 to the prongs 824. In some embodiments, the prongs 824 may be replaced by or may be used in conjunction with a stabilizing cup (see FIGS. 11A through 13B).

The described stabilization components may be utilized in conjunction with one or more components of any of the other cutting mechanism embodiments described herein in order to stabilize the position of the distal end 806 of the catheter 802 relative to the targeted valve tissue. For example, FIG. 10A illustrates engagement of the prongs 824 against a targeted leaflet 10 to stabilize position of the blade 812 relative to the leaflet 10. The blade 812 and/or prongs 824 may then be actuated to move the blade 812 across the leaflet 10. FIG. 10B illustrates the cut leaflet and the separated clip device 820.

Embodiments described herein are described in the context of cutting leaflet tissue around a single deployed clip device, such as by cutting a single leaflet in a mitral valve (preferably the anterior leaflet). In other implementations, both leaflets may be cut so as to completely free the clip device. In such applications, prongs (such as the prongs 824 illustrated in FIG. 9) and/or a cup (such as the cup 926 or 1026 illustrated in FIGS. 11A through 13B) may be utilized to grasp the clip device as it is cut free. The extracted clip device may then be removed by retracting the prongs and/or cup through the catheter, carrying the extracted clip device away from the targeted valve. Additionally, or alternatively, a vacuum may be applied to the catheter (such as by applying suction at the proximal end and/or handle) to enable the extracted clip device to be pulled into the catheter and removed.

FIGS. 11A through 11D illustrates an embodiment of a cutting system having a catheter 902 extending distally from a handle (not shown; see, e.g., FIG. 1), a cutting mechanism 912 that extends through or is attached to a distal end of the catheter 902, and a stabilizing cup 926 capable of extending distally from the distal end of the catheter 902. The cutting mechanism 912 is shown here in generic form as a dashed line, and cutting mechanism 912 therefore represents any of the cutting mechanism embodiments described herein, including the noose structure 719 of FIGS. 7A through 8B, cutting mechanism 612 of FIG. 6, cutting mechanism 512 of FIG. 5A, cutting mechanism 512 b of FIG. 5C, or cutting mechanism 312 of FIGS. 3A through 3F.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cup 926 is attached to an inner member 928 which extends proximally from the cup 926 toward the handle. By advancing or retracting the inner member 928 relative to the catheter 902, the cup 926 may be respectively advanced past the distal end of the catheter 902 or retracted into the catheter 902. The inner member 928 may be formed, for example, as a hypotube, push rod, catheter, or other suitable structure capable of transmitting longitudinal movement to the cup 926.

The cup 926 may be formed as an expandable structure capable of moving between a collapsed, lower profile configuration and an expanded, fully open configuration. For example, the cup 926 may be biased toward the expanded, fully open position such that when the cup 926 is advanced past the distal end of the catheter 902 (and/or the catheter 902 is retracted to expose the cup 926) the cup 926 self-expands from the collapsed configuration to the open, expanded position. As shown in FIG. 11A, as the cup 926 is advanced relative to the catheter 902, the distal-most portion of the cup 926 begins to open and expand, while the more proximal portion remaining within the lumen of the catheter 902 remains in a collapsed configuration. In some embodiments, the cup 926 includes a frame structure made of a suitable self-expanding material, such as nitinol. The frame structure may also be covered in a membrane (e.g., formed from a suitable medical-grade polymer) to further define the shape of the cup 926.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the cup 926 is configured to contact and cup the implanted interventional device 920 and/or leaflet tissue adjacent the implanted interventional device 920. In procedures where the interventional device 920 is completely cut free from the targeted cardiac valve 10 (e.g., where both leaflets of the mitral valve are cut), the cup 926 can function to hold and receive the excised interventional device 920. In the illustrated embodiment, the cup 926 is coupled to an adjustment wire 932 which extends proximally to the handle (e.g., through the inner member 928). The application and release of tension in the adjustment wire 932 causes the cup 926 to tighten and loosen, respectively, around the targeted valve 10. For example, the adjustment wire 932 may wrap around the periphery 934 of the cup 926 such that the application of tension to the adjustment wire 932 causes the periphery 934 of the cup 926 to “cinch” to a smaller diameter. For purposes of clarity, FIGS. 11B and 11C illustrate the cup 926 with a somewhat loose grasp to the targeted valve 10, it will be understood that the cup 926 may be adjusted to a desired fit or tightness against the targeted valve 10.

In preferred embodiments, the catheter 902 is a multi-lumen catheter including a lumen for the cutting mechanism 912 and a separate lumen for the cup 926 and inner member 928. Alternatively, the catheter 902 may be a single-lumen catheter. In such a single-lumen catheter embodiment, the cutting system may additionally include a tether 936 coupling the cup 926 to the cutting mechanism 912, as shown in FIG. 11B. For example, in a single-lumen catheter embodiment, the cup 926 may be deployed first, then detached from the inner member 928. The cutting mechanism 912 may then be deployed to cut the valve 10. The tether 936 maintains connection of the cutting system to the cup 926.

As shown in FIG. 11C, after the cutting mechanism 912 has cut the targeted valve 10, the cup 926 remains in contact with the cut portion of the leaflet tissue which includes the excised interventional device 920. As shown in FIG. 11D, the cup 926 may then be retracted into the catheter 902 to allow the excised interventional device 920 to be withdrawn from the patient. The cup 926 may be included with other cutting system embodiments described herein, including the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A through 10B.

FIGS. 12A through 12C illustrate an alternative embodiment of a cutting system including a catheter 1002 (shown here as a multi-lumen catheter), cutting mechanism 1012, inner member 1028, and cup 1026. The cutting system shown in FIGS. 12A through 12C may be configured similar to the cutting system of FIGS. 11A through 11D. However, whereas the cup 926 is oriented to open in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter 902, the cup 1026 is oriented to open in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the catheter 1002. FIG. 12A illustrates that the interventional device 1020 and surrounding tissue is grasped within the cup 1026 as the valve 10 is cut by the cutting mechanism 1012, FIG. 12B illustrates the excised interventional device 1020 held within the cup 1026 after the valve 10 has been cut, and FIG. 12C illustrates tightening and/or “cinching” of the cup 1026 to more fully hold the excised interventional device 1020. After receiving the excised interventional device 1020, the cup 1026 may be retracted into the catheter 1002 and the system removed from the patient.

FIGS. 13A and 13B further illustrate closing mechanics related to the cup 926 of FIGS. 11A through 11D and the cup 1026 of FIGS. 12A through 12C, respectively. FIG. 13A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the catheter 902, showing the opening/rim of the cup 926. As the inner member 928 is retracted relative to the catheter 902, the cup 926 is brought into contact against the distal end of the catheter 902. The peripheral curvature of the cup 926 at the point where the cup 926 abuts the catheter 902 allows the cup 926 to collapse into a more oblong and lower profile shape as it is forced against the distal end of the catheter 902. Further proximal retraction of the inner member 928 forces the cup 926 to a correspondingly lower profile until it can be retracted fully within the catheter 902. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame of the cup 926 may include one or more pivot points 930 that aid in folding of the cup 926 toward the collapsed position. Other embodiments may omit pivot points 930 and may instead utilize inherent flexibility of the frame to allow collapse of the cup 926.

FIG. 13B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the catheter 1002 and cup 1026. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 13A, proximal retraction of the inner member 1028 relative to the catheter 1002 brings the cup 1026 into contact against the distal end of the catheter 1002. The peripheral curvature of the cup 1026 at the point where the cup 1026 contacts the catheter 1002 allows the distal rim of the cup 1026 to collapse radially inward as the cup 1026 is forced against the distal end of the catheter 1002.

The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount or condition close to the stated amount or condition that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount or condition that deviates by less than 10%, or by less than 5%, or by less than 1%, or by less than 0.1%, or by less than 0.01% from a stated amount or condition.

Elements described in relation to any embodiment depicted and/or described herein may be combinable with elements described in relation to any other embodiment depicted and/or described herein. For example, any element described in relation to the delivery system 100 of FIG. 1, the stabilizing prongs of FIG. 9, and/or the stabilizing cups of FIGS. 11A through 13B, may be combinable with any element described in relation to any of the cutting mechanisms of FIGS. 3A through 8B. Likewise, elements of the delivery system of FIG. 1 may be utilized in any of the other cutting system embodiments described herein, elements of the stabilizing prongs of FIG. 9 may be utilized in any of the other cutting system embodiments described herein, and elements of either of the stabilizing cups of FIGS. 11A through 13B may be utilized in any of the other cutting system embodiments described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interventional device for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, the interventional device comprising: a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the catheter being positionable at the targeted cardiac valve; a cutting mechanism positionable at the distal end of the catheter, the cutting mechanism including a noose structure positionable around leaflet tissue of the targeted cardiac valve to enable cutting of the leaflet tissue; and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the catheter, the handle including one or more cutting controls operatively coupled to the cutting mechanism to provide selective actuation of the cutting mechanism.
 2. The interventional device of claim 1, wherein the noose structure is configured to be selectively adjusted in diameter to enable tightening of the noose structure around the leaflet tissue.
 3. The interventional device of claim 1, wherein the noose structure is configured to provide radio frequency electrical current and/or thermal energy to the targeted valve to enable cutting of the leaflet tissue.
 4. The interventional device of claim 1, wherein the cutting mechanism includes a hook and a snare, the snare being configured to engage with the hook to form the noose structure, wherein one or both of the hook and the snare are translatable relative to the distal end of the catheter.
 5. The interventional device of claim 4, wherein the snare is coupled to a first wire and the hook is coupled to a second wire, the first and second wires extending proximally through the catheter to the handle.
 6. The interventional device of claim 1, wherein the cutting mechanism includes a first wire and a second wire, a first magnet being coupled to a distal end of the first wire and a second magnet being coupled to a distal end of the second wire, the first and second magnets being configured to couple with one another to form the noose structure.
 7. The interventional device of claim 1, further comprising a collet operatively coupled to the noose structure, the collet being longitudinally translatable within the catheter to enable selective adjustment of size of the noose structure.
 8. The interventional device of claim 1, further comprising one or more stabilizing prongs extendable distally past the distal end of the catheter, the one or more stabilizing prongs being configured to engage against the leaflet tissue at the targeted valve to stabilize the distal end of the catheter relative to the targeted valve.
 9. The interventional device of claim 1, further comprising a cup extendable distally past the distal end of the catheter, the cup being configured to engage with the leaflet tissue and to receive cut leaflet tissue and/or an interventional device implanted into the cut leaflet tissue.
 10. An interventional device for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, the interventional device comprising: a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the catheter being positionable at the targeted cardiac valve; a cutting mechanism positionable at the distal end of the catheter, the cutting mechanism including one or more cutting elements configured to cut leaflet tissue of the targeted cardiac valve when engaged against the leaflet tissue, wherein each of the one or more cutting elements are configured as a blade structure or a needle structure; and a stabilizing assembly extendable distally past the distal end of the catheter, the stabilizing assembly being configured to engage against the targeted cardiac valve to stabilize the distal end of the catheter relative to the targeted valve, wherein the cutting mechanism is translatable within the catheter such that it is routable through the catheter to be passed beyond the distal end of the catheter and/or to be retracted proximally into the catheter.
 11. The interventional device of claim 10, wherein the cutting mechanism includes opposing cutting blades arranged as scissors.
 12. The interventional device of claim 10, wherein the handle includes an electrical source for powering oscillating motion of the one or more cutting elements.
 13. The interventional device of claim 10, wherein the stabilizing assembly includes a plurality of stabilizing prongs.
 14. The interventional device of claim 10, wherein the stabilizing assembly includes a cup, the cup being configured to engage with the leaflet tissue and to receive cut leaflet tissue and/or an interventional device implanted into the cut leaflet tissue.
 15. The interventional device of claim 14, further comprising an adjustment wire operatively coupled to the cup and extending proximally from the cup through the catheter, wherein adjustment of tension in the adjustment wire causes the cup to adjust in diameter.
 16. A method of cutting cardiac valve tissue at a targeted cardiac valve within a body, the method comprising: positioning a delivery catheter within a body so that a distal end of the delivery catheter is positioned near the targeted cardiac valve; routing a cutting mechanism through the delivery catheter so that the cutting mechanism at least partially extends distally beyond the distal end of the catheter to enable the cutting mechanism to engage with leaflet tissue of the targeted cardiac valve, wherein the targeted cardiac valve is associated with an interventional implant that approximates adjacent leaflets of the targeted cardiac valve; and actuating the cutting mechanism to cut at least one leaflet of the approximated adjacent leaflets, the cutting mechanism thereby detaching the interventional implant from the at least one cut leaflet.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the targeted cardiac valve is a mitral valve having an anterior leaflet and a posterior leaflet.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one cut leaflet is the anterior leaflet, the interventional implant remaining attached to the posterior leaflet.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein both the anterior leaflet and the posterior leaflet are cut, the method further comprising removing the interventional implant from the body after it is extracted from the mitral valve.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the interventional implant is an interventional clip previously implanted at the mitral valve. 